CHAPTER 002 Rise from the ashes

Lexi

When I woke up, I was lying on a hospital bed.

My head felt heavy, and my vision swam as I tried to sit up.

"Easy there," a voice said beside me.

I turned to see a nurse standing by the bed. "Where am I?" I asked.

"You fainted outside The Grand Elysium. Hotel security called an ambulance."

I blinked, trying to remember. Slowly, everything came rushing back—Ethan, the engagement party, the pregnant woman, the slap. The pain in my chest returned tenfold, and I sucked in a sharp breath, willing the tears not to fall again.

"How long have I been here?" I asked.

"Just a few hours," the nurse replied, checking the IV attached to my arm.

"You were dehydrated and in shock. We’ve put you on fluids, but you’re stable now.”

The nurse hesitated, then added in a softer voice, “I’m really sorry... but you lost the baby.”

The words didn’t register at first.

"The ba..." I stammered. "What baby?"

"You were about six weeks pregnant," the nurse explained kindly.

"The stress and shock caused a miscarriage. I’m sorry."

My world stopped. Pregnant? How could that be? I hadn’t known. I hadn’t felt anything.

My hand instinctively went to my stomach, and I just stared, frozen. Pregnant. I was pregnant. And now... it was gone.

I couldn’t breathe. For years, Ethan and I had tried for a baby. We’d gone through doctors, treatments, and endless disappointment. And now, when I didn’t even know it was happening, I had been carrying a child. A child that was now lost.

I cried.

The nurse patted my shoulder, comforting me.

"I didn’t know..." I whispered, my voice shaking.

"It’s common. Most women don't often realize they're pregnant in the first two months.

Take your time," the nurse said. "I’ll be right outside if you need anything."

Once the nurse left, the room felt too quiet. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my hand still resting on my stomach as if I could somehow make the baby come back.

But it was too late.

The child I had wanted for years. The child Ethan and I had prayed for, fought for, cried for.

Now gone. Stolen from me.

Anger surged. It wasn’t fair. Nothing about this was fair.

“He killed my baby,” I whispered, gritting my teeth.

“He killed my baby!” I pounded the mattress with my fists.

“Ethan killed my baby!” I sobbed, my nails digging into the sheets.

Ethan’s face flashed in my mind—the moment he’d slapped me, the coldness in his eyes as he stood by that other woman.

I squeezed my eyes shut, tears streaming down my face.

Trembling, I curled up on the bed.

“I would’ve fought for you,” I whispered, my voice cracking.

“I would’ve done anything to keep you safe.” My hand pressed harder against my belly.

“I didn’t even know...”

What would I do now?

The nurse stepped back into the room. “I don't mean to interrupt, but is there anyone we can call for you? A family member or friend?”

I blinked. Who could I call? My friends had always been there for me, supporting me through every rough patch with Ethan, listening to my fears and doubts.

But how could I face them now? How could I admit that my marriage had not only failed but in the most humiliating, heartbreaking way possible? What would they think when they heard what had happened—when they learned that Ethan had left me for another woman and I’d lost our baby all in the same night?

I couldn’t bear the pity I would see in their eyes.

But I couldn’t do this alone.

"Sophia," I finally said. "My best friend."

The nurse nodded, scribbling the name down. “Would you like me to place the call now?”

“Yes. Please call her.”

~~~~

A month later, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. The dress was too tight, too revealing. I tugged at the hem, trying to pull it lower.

“I can’t go out in this,” I said. “I look like a whore.”

Behind me, Sophia rolled her eyes.

“That’s what you're going to wear,” she said firmly.

“No, it's not.”

Sophia threw her hands up in frustration. “Come on, Lexi.

You need to start living again! I know it’s been rough—believe me, I do—but at some point, you’ve got to stop hiding.

You haven’t left the house in weeks! You’re ten pounds lighter because you refuse to eat. And now that you've finalized the divorce with that douchebag and gotten a job, you need to get out and celebrate.”

I sighed. “There’s nothing to celebrate, Soph. I’m broke. Ethan left me with nothing.”

“That’s because you signed that stupid prenup. Who signs a prenup in the 21st century?”

I rolled my eyes. The prenup. Always the prenup. Sophia never missed an opportunity to remind me of my biggest mistake. I was painfully aware of how stupid I’d been, blinded by love, trusting Ethan.

I hadn’t thought for a second that the man I’d married would leave me for someone else. And now here I was—no house, no car, not even a penny in the bank. I had nothing to show for my marriage except heartache.

I sighed again, shaking my head. “I know, okay? I know I messed up.

But I didn’t think it would end like this. I loved him. I thought...”

“Yeah, well, love makes people do stupid things,” Sophia said.

“But that’s in the past now. You’ve got a second chance. You’re starting a new job tomorrow.

A clean slate. You should be out there celebrating, not sulking in front of your mirror.”

I bit my lip. “I can’t get wasted. Who starts a new job with a hangover? I need to be on my game.”

Sophia snorted. “Girl, have you forgotten your job description? You're going to be a personal assistant to some hotshot CEO. Trust me, after a week, you’ll be begging for a drink.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, confused.

Sophia grabbed her purse and headed for the door. “It means don’t ask questions. Let’s go.”

I sat quietly in the car on the way to the club, my mind racing. It had been so long since I’d been out. I didn’t know if I could have fun anymore.

The moment we stepped inside the club, the loud music hit me.

It felt overwhelming, but I followed Sophia through the crowd.

“Heyyy!” Rachel, another friend, greeted us with a big hug.

“I got us a table in the VIP section. We’re getting drunk tonight!”

I winced. “How much did you pay for that? It must’ve cost a fortune.”

Rachel grinned. “Don’t worry about it, Lexi. I’ve got it covered. Drinks are on me too. The only rule? You have to get smashed.”

Before I could protest, Sophia was already dragging me to the VIP table.

“We’re getting laid tonight!” she shouted, causing people to turn and look.

My face burned with embarrassment. “I did not come here to hook up,” I said.

Sophia ignored me, pouring whiskey into a glass and handing it to me. “Drink.”

I took a small sip.

“More,” Sophia ordered.

I hesitated, but Sophia pushed the glass toward me until I downed the whole thing, feeling the warmth spread through my chest.

“There we go,” Sophia said with a grin. She stood up and yelled,

“Hey, everyone! My friend just got divorced and is looking for a fun night! Any volunteers?”

To my horror, a bunch of guys immediately raised their hands.

“Sophia, no—” I said, trying to stop her. But it was too late.

All eyes were on me now.